lupine Hear it!

lupine1 definition

lu·pine (lo̵̅o̅pin)

noun

  1. any of a genus (Lupinus) of plants of the pea family, with palmately compound leaves, racemes of white, rose, yellow, or blue flowers, and pods containing beanlike seeds: used for forage, green manure, etc.
  2. the seed of the European lupine (Lupinus albus) used in some parts of Europe as food

Etymology: ME lupyne < L lupinus < lupus, wolf: reason for name uncert.

lupine2 definition

lu·pine (lo̵̅o̅pīn′)

adjective

  1. of a wolf or wolves
  2. wolflike; fierce; ravenous

Etymology: L lupinus < lupus, wolf

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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